yes, of course. But you're missing the point....when trying to get the neck straight you must go by the fret tops because otherwise you may still have relief or even have backbow. the point is to not only get the neck straight but it's gotta play right too. therefore you use the fret tops and the neck will be very close to perfectly straight at worse. measuring the wood may leave the neck in horrible playing shape, as even the slightest backbow will lead to bad fret buzz.

By the way, the only real reason for a notched SE is when leveling frets. You want the board dead flat before you level them.

A notched rule is used to check the fret board for iregularities in the board itself because frets wear uneven meaning when you lay your straight edge along the frets one fret may be lower do to wear pattern. Also remember the first 7 to 8 frets from the heel should be flat the relief comes into the neck from there to the nut.
First you get the neck straight then you check fret level with straght edge and buzz set relief and address frets where needed.
With a new guitar and frets if they are dressed good you can get away with just a straight edge almost aways.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Told ya Yonder comes Lite'nin, defender of the faith. FYI...there's a truck stop on 95N just outside of the NY line heading into New England where you can get a real authentic down home breakfast, including a crashcart and a defibrillator if needed.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

Right on my brother!!

I rather doubt that i'm missing the point. I made that straightedge to perform an experiment i'd been considering for a while. To get the neck dead flat and put the relief in the frets rather than the neck. I get the whole idea about not needing one unless your doing fretwork as its the fret tops you play on but that wasnt the point of this thread or my experiment.

No real reason i just wanted to see if i could do it accurately and if it would work.

It did and theres atleast another 2 guitars of mine to perform the procedure on as well as my bands rhythm guitarists guitar.

_________________
No no and no

This has been a good thread niki Thanks! You are correct in the that straight edges are costly, I paid 48.00 for my 18" one. Its a certified machinest edge.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Hi oczad: that was where you went wrong. This ain't your average neck relief thread. There's a death defying fret dress going on here of a very specialised kind.



But unless my memory is faulty this isn't an old beater, is it? Isn't this your new-ish Baja Tele?

That just adds to the death defying nature of the experiment: risky surgery on a nice guitar. Nice work, Niki - and very brave. You ain't coming anywhere near my guitars with your fret files, but I have enormous respect for what you've done!! Kudos...

Cheers - C

I was never happy with the neck on the baja. Its a monsterous size. So if i mucked it up it wouldnt of been too much of a loss. It was an outlandish idea from start to finish. I really think any added comfort of the neck being straight is 'in my head' i dont mind it taking residence there though. Also i proved a point to myself as fretwork has always been something i've shyed away from unless absolutely necessary. I feel more confident now to do that type of work.

What did suprise me was how uneven the level of the frets was. I expected better than that.

Now im wondering on ways to fan frets accurately

_________________
No no and no

I've got faith in your fan fret abilities Niki! What ever that is.

Gotta say lads i dont like the idea of eating 'grit' much. Isn't it a bit salty?
As far as cereal its honey nut cornflakes for me. I dont like them cheerio's much. Its like breakfast is saying goodbye.
Truth be told now i no longer have to endure a building site during british wintertime fried food is a rarity. The excersize bike is making a comeback in our household.

_________________
No no and no

Raisin Bran for me. And niki I have no doubt you could do a good level and crown job on those frets

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Porridge: the only cereal for a man! And made with water too: none of this whimpish milk and cream!

Recently posted this elsewhere, but what the heck:

Why is there no monument to porridge in our land?
If it's good enough to eat it's good enough to stand.
On a plinth in London a statue there should be
Of porridge made in Scotland, signed: Oatmeal OBE.

Spike Milligan

***

Just can't wait for those fanned frets, Niki! If anyone was going to do it, it would be you!!

Cheers - C

Porridge, I've never been brave enough to try it. Vindaloo, secret hidden shammi kebabs found in my coat pocket after the previous nights inebriated adventure, even a good guzzle of scotch on occasion, or a few beers when in germany. They have all served my morning dietary purposes. I tremble at the sight of porridge though. If you have to eat porridge to be a man, call me susan.

_________________
No no and no

There is the making of a good song in that last line Niki!

If you don't eat you Porridge, you can't have any Pudding

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson